Quick Overview

Plant this low-growing, emerald-green grass in a lower maintenance area or turf lawn. It requires little care and is easy to grow, tolerating shade. Hard Fescue is ideal for creating a naturalized area that your mower can’t reach. (Festuca ovina)

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Details

SKU

AAS2DXX

Common Name

Hard Fescue Grass Seeds

Botanical Name

Festuca ovina var. duriuscula

Light Requirements

Half Sun / Half Shade, Full Shade

Planting Time

Cool Season

Ships As

Seed

Suggested Uses

Erosion Control

Is It Storable?

Yes - You can store your seed in any cool (not freezing) dry place that is not subject to extreme temperature variations.

Ships to Canada

No

Description

Hard Fescue Grass Seed is ideal for low maintenance areas as well as for turf lawns. It is low-growing and has a gorgeous, deep green color to it. It’s easy to grow and tolerates shade. It can be used for erosion control or creating a naturalized area. It does not tolerate or require much mowing or maintenance.

Reviews

How-To Guides

When to Plant

Planting Grass Seed in Fall or Spring:

The ideal time to plant grass seed varies by hardiness zone, but is usually in the spring, once temperatures have reached a consistent 60 F and there is no more danger of frost. Grass can be planted through the end of July but no later. If you’re planting in the fall, wait until after there have been a few killing frosts so the seeds you plant will lie dormant until the spring.

Planting as a Cover Crop or Green Manure:

If you’re planting grasses, legumes or clover to replenish nutrients, suppress weeds or more, we recommend planting in early to mid fall. Let the grass grow until frost. Come spring, mow the grass before it goes to seed and then till the soil. Wait 3-6 weeks before planting new crops.

What Plants are Best for Cover Crops?

Clover, Peas, Vetch and Rye Grass.

Planting Rates: How Much Seed Do I Need?

Planting rates, depending on the size of the seed. A larger seed (such as a Fescue) can be seeded at 10lbs/1,000 square feet. A smaller seed (such as a Bluegrass) can be seeded as low as 2lbs/1,000 square feet. To see planting rates for each individual variety, please view the following chart. If you’re still unsure of how much seed to use in your area, please give us a call at (877) 309-7333.

Variety

Type

Coverage 500 Ft²

Coverage 1000 Ft²

Alsike Clover

Cover Crop/Legume

1/4 LB

1/2 LB

Austrian Winter Pea

Cover Crop/Legume

1 LB

1 1/2 LB

Blue Grama Grass

Warm Season

2 LB

4 LB

Buffalo Grass

Warm Season

1/4 LB

1/2 LB

Canada Wild Rye Grass

Cool Season

1/4 LB

1/2 LB

Chewings Fescue

Cool Season

1/2 LB

1 LB

Common Vetch

Cover Crop/Legume

1/2 LB

1 LB

Creeping Red Fescue

Cool Season

2 LB

4 LB

Crimson Clover

Cover Crop/Legume

1/2 LB

1 LB

Crown Vetch

Cover Crop/Legume

1/2 LB

1 LB

Dutch White Clover

Cover Crop/Legume

1/4 LB

1/2 LB

Hairy Vetch

Cover Crop/Legume

1/2 LB

1 1/4 LB

Hard Fescue Grass

Cool Season

1/4 LB

1/2 LB

Little Bluestem Grass

Warm Season

1/4 LB

1/2 LB

Low Work & Water

Grass Mixture

5 LB

10 LB

Medium Red Clover

Cover Crop/Legume

1/4 LB

1/2 LB

No Mow Lawn Grass

Grass Mixture

1/4 LB

5 LB

Northeast Native Grass

Grass Mixture

1/4 LB

1/2 LB

Partridge Pea

Cover Crop/Legume

1/4 LB

1/2 LB

Perennial Rye Grass

Cover Crop/Legume

1/4 LB

1/2 LB

Sheep Fescue

Cool Season

1/4 LB

1/2 LB

Short Grass Seed Mixture

Grass Mixture

1/2 LB

1/2 LB

Smooth Bromegrass

Cool Season

1/2 LB

1 LB

Southeast Native Grass

Grass Mixture

1/4 LB

1/2 LB

Switchgrass Shelter

Warm Season

1/4 LB

1/2 LB

Tall Grass Seed Mix

Grass Mixture

1/4 LB

1/2 LB

Timothy Grass

Cool Season

1/4 LB

1/2 LB

Vernal Alfalfa

Cover Crop/Legume

1/4 LB

1/2 LB

White Ladino Clover

Cover Crop/Legume

1/4 LB

1/2 LB

Winter Rye Grass

Cover Crop/Legume

2 LB

4 LB

Yellow Blossom Clover

Cover Crop/Legume

1/4 LB

1/2 LB

Preparing the Area for Planting

We recommend leveling the planting area as much as possible to eliminate high or low spots. Till the soil if possible about 4-6 inches deep, as the soil should be loose and clump free before planting. If your area is already somewhat bare and even, we recommend skipping the tilling process as it can promote new weed growth or unwanted grass growth. You can then add a product to help aerate your soil (such as LazyMan Liquid GoldTM) to improve seed germination, but this is not necessary.

Step-by-Step Planting Instructions

After your soil is prepared, apply the seed at the recommended seeded rate. See the back of the this guide for seeding rates. To make sure you’re spreading the seed evenly, scatter 1/2 of the seed walking North to South and 1/2 of the seed walking Easy to West.

If you have poor soil, you could lightly apply an organic fertilizer after seeding, although this is not a necessary step for strong growth.

Many choose to cover their grass seed after planting, even though this is not necessary. If you do choose to cover your seed to help retain moisture and hold the seed in place, we recommend a maximum thickness of 1/4”. You can cover the seed with topsoil, sterilized straw, or peat moss. Coated seeds such as Bermuda and Clover Seeds should not be covered more than an 1/8” deep.

Water gently and regularly, keeping the seeds moist until they begin to sprout. This could mean watering more than once a day if you’re having a dry spell. Once the seeds sprout, water less frequently. This helps to ensure a deep rooted, healthy lawn or meadow.

Do not mow until your lawn is at the recommended height. This information can be found on our website at the specific product page. For most grasses, this is about
3-6 weeks after planting, but could be longer depending on growing conditions. Remember to be gentle when mowing the first few times -- the seedlings will be somewhat tender.

After mowing several times, you can apply an organic fertilizer to promote strong growth, but this is not a necessary step.

It may take weeks or even a month for the seeds to grow. Be patient. If you have any questions about germination time or planting, please don’t hesitate to call us at (877) 309-7333

As soon as your order is placed you will receive a confirmation email. You will receive a second email the day your order ships telling you how it has been sent. Orders for in-season products ship within 5 business days. Depending upon your order date, we may hold your shipment to combine it with other products on your order, if applicable. See our Shipping Information page for more detailed information. If you need express shipping or have any questions, please call Customer Service toll-free at (877) 270-5187 or Contact Us by email.